CALIFORNIAN: Reality Rally returns to Temecula

TEMECULA ---- If you know the spark plug of a human being who goes by the name of Gillian Larson, it should come as no surprise that the second Reality Rally will take place in Temecula next weekend.

But even Larson, a former cast member of "Survivor: Gabon," sounded a bit surprised during a phone interview that the producers have pulled it off again.

"It's mind-boggling ---- I love it," Larson said. "I'm just excited the whole thing is coming together in a huge way again this year. I have such an appreciation for these more than 500 people that come together to make this happen."

What will happen when the "Fun for Funds" weekend kicks off on Friday is that more than 95 stars from a variety of reality television shows will be in Temecula to participate in the Reality Rally, as well as several other charity events.

"It is so awesome," Larson said of the three-day event that benefits Michelle's Place, Breast Cancer Resource Center. "We all have the fun and they (Michelle's Place) get the funds."

The weekend tees off Friday with the Reality-Am Golf Tournament at the Legends Golf Club at Temeku Hills. The four-person scramble format ---- play with your own foursome or as a single, or have a couple of reality stars added to your team ---- starts at 9 a.m. and features goodie bags, lunch, a few games on the tee boxes, and of course, trophies for the winners. Fees are $125 per person and a few spots are still available.

Later on that evening is the Celebrity Reception with the Stars at Wilson Creek Winery, for adults only. The event starts at 6 p.m. and will feature wine, food and hot-air tethered balloon rides (for a donation) until 10 p.m. Tickets are $25.

"The Celebrity Reception at Wilson Creek is a great opportunity to mingle with the Reality Stars in an exciting, fun-filled opening night," Larson said. "It's going to be an amazing evening again, and I am sure it will sell out quickly."

From there, the party moves to Pala Mesa Resort in Fallbrook where there will be an after-party with the stars from 10:30 p.m. to 1:30 a.m. in the resort's lounge. That is also open to the public.

Bright and early Saturday morning marks the start of the weekend's main event in Old Town Temecula. Autographs with the reality stars take place from 8:30 to 10 a.m. There will also be demonstrations, performances, food, vendors and more.

The Rally, taking place from noon to 4 p.m., is an "Amazing Race" kind of game, where participants will be walking or running throughout Temecula's Old Town in a competition involving fun challenges. Teams consist of three members of the public plus a Reality Star to make a team of four.

"This year, the game will only be played within Old Town Temecula," Larson said. "Transportation last year was such a problem, too much of a hassle and too many people waiting. Having it only in Old Town this year will give the public a better chance to watch the challenges and see the race take place."

Another change this year is the way the game is played. Contestants will have the option of following their own path to the finish with the "Your Choice" format, which means teams can choose any challenge they want to conquer in any order they choose. But they have to complete every challenge to complete ---- and maybe win ---- the rally.

"The challenges are going to be such fun, so cool," Larson said. "We are really encouraging everyone to come and watch them."

Larson said a few spots are still available to compete in the rally for $90 per person.

In the middle of all of that will be a Reality Show panel and interviews from 1 to 2 p.m. There, you can meet 10 stars from 10 different reality TV shows.

From 6 to 7 p.m. Saturday, the stars will walk the red carpet into the adult-ticketed Red Carpet Extravaganza and Rally Pit Party at Monte de Oro Winery. Mix with the stars, listen to live music including performances by the Brewer Boys and a celebrity jam, and indulge in Monte de Oro wines and food from around the world. Tickets are $40 and include one wine or beer ticket.

After that, the party moves to the Temecula Stampede in Old Town Temecula, which is open to the public, as long as they pay the nightclub's cover charge and are age 21 or older.

Early in the morning of April 15, say goodbye to the reality stars at an 8 to 10 a.m. breakfast and send-off at Temeku Hills Country Club in Temecula. Tickets are $20.

Some of the reality TV stars scheduled to attend this year's event are Richard Hatch, the first winner of "Survivor" and creator of the Survivor Alliance; "Big Brother 13" star Adam Poch; and Sandra Diaz-Twine, the winner of the seventh season of "Survivor: Pearl Islands" and the winner of "Survivor: Heroes vs. Villains." She is the show's first and only two-time winner.